The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-10-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for October
23-"Three Miracles"
From the Chicago Standard. !

From the Chicago Standard.
The lesson for the above date may be
found in the ninth chapter of Matthew,
from the eighteenth to the thirty-tirst
verses, inclusive. Time, A. ID. %. Place.
Capernaun.
CRITICISM AND EXPLANATION.
V. Is. These things. The truths spoken
recorded In the preceding verses of this
chapter. There came. Into the presence
of Jesus while he was yet speaking to the
Pharisees and the disciples of John. A
certain ruler. One of the rulers of the
synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark b: %.
Worshiped him. Bowed down before him
in expression OF profound respect. EUen
nop dead. Luke says she was dying.
and Mark speaks of her as being at the
point of DEATH" but Matthew condenses
the narrative so as to present at the outset
what was actually true before Jesus reached
the home of Jairus. Come and lay thy
hand. Thus showing the rulers confidence
in Christs healing power, but indicating
smaller measure of faith than that of the
centurion, who believed his servant could
be healed by n word only" even though
such word were spoken by Jesus when dis
tant from the scene of suffering. See
Matthew g.: 8.
V. 10. Arose and folloped. Responded
Immediately to the entreaty of Jairus, by
rising from the table and starting for the
ruler house. Observe again how quickly
Jesus responded 10 the cry of believing
soul. and how willingly He withdrew him.
self from social enjoyment In order to min
lister relief to others who were In anxiety
and distress.
V. 20. A lcOmdn. One who, for twelve
years, had been afflicted with an aggravat-
ed wasting, and incurable disease. Her
unavailing efforts to secure healing y hu-
man agencies, are described IN Mark D: 26.
Came behind him. Choosing this method
of approach perhaps because OF her timidi-
ty, or from n reluctance to have public at
tention called to her peculiar affection.
Hem. The border, or fringed edge of the
Savior's garment.
va. II mdy bat touch. Or, if only
touch. This silently cherished conclusion
was an evidence of her faith, which, how
ever invisible it was TO others, was never
theless recognized by Jesus, and by him was
promptly and silently rewarded. Whole.
Delivered from disease, and restored to
health.
V. %. Jesus turned. Although the
touch had been unobserved by others,
Jesus doubtless deemed it best that her
faith and his power should both receive
recognition. BE Of good comfort. Thus
Jesus quiets her fears, and encourages her
public confession Of faith. Hath made
thee uhole. Literally hath saved thee.
Her faith had accomplished her complete
recovery, because 1t had led her to apply to
the divine healer. From that hour. Thus
quickly does Jesus answer, not only the
cry of faith but also the touch OF faith.
Observe, that it is not the quantity of
| faiths outward expression that saves. The
| slightest touch may unlock the treasures OF
redeeming grace.
V. %. MinstreLs. In his Commentary
on Matthew, DIR. Broadus says: 1T was,
and still is, an Oriental custom for the rel
atiyes and immediate friends of dying
person to gather round the couch, and the
moment the breath ceased. to break ont
into loud cries with every exclamation and
sign of the most passionate grief; and I'M
able TO continue this themselves, they
would hire professional mourners, who
would keep up the loud wailing cry
throughout the day and night. Persons of
wealth might afford TO hire music ians also;
and Jairus being n man of consideration,
we find that the flute players have arrived
and although but few minutes after the
child's decease, already there is a crowd
present, making q tumultuous noise OF
lamentation."
V. "a. Not dead, but sleepeth. Not to
remain dead. Jesus here speaks, not as to
the actual state of the case, BIT III reference
to the purpose He has in view of causing
the child to rise, as one risen out of sleep
See, also, John XII: IL. Hence there was nc
occasion for wailing and lamentation; anC
the crowd are invited to give place, i. O..
withdraw, and make room for Jesus. OBJ
serve, that Christ's indweling presence vii
rob death OF all its gloom and terror
Laughed HIM to scOrn. Treated His state.
ment as ridiculous. AS this was Christi
first miracle of raising the dead to life
these attendants were utterly unprepareC
for what was TO follow.
VS.. %, 20. The maid arose. In respons,
to the divine touch and bidding. See alsc
Marx 3: Al. According to Jewish law
touching dead body would make person
ceremonially unclean; but in this case Jesus
imparts cleansing to another, and receives
no contamination himself. No wonder tina
his fame went abroad throughout all tn,
land.
vs.. 81, IS. FoHoped him. Went alon,
behind Jesus, as he passed the place wher
they had been sitting. Hare mercy. Or
have pity. Son Of Ddrid. This was tn
we'll known title of the promised Messiah
and by using it these blind men declared
their belief that Jesus himself was the full
tillment of the promise.
'. ~. ACCOTutHU ~ yOuF JuttH. NOt nc
cording to forms of speech made use of
Again observe, that the communication o
divine power is the inevitable result o
genuine faith.
V. 80. See that no man knoT. To pro
claim their belief in Jesus as the Messiah
would be TO excite unnecessary opposition
So they were not only charged not to pub
lish the fact, but straitly charged, becaus
no doubt similar instructions previousl
given to others had been disregarded.
V. 81. Spread Gb, Dad His tame. Christ
injunctions are again disregarded. To re
frain from such testimony was no doubt
difficult task; yet il would have been bette
for them to have followed Christs direc
tons closely. The best way to honor Chris
is to obey him.
PRACTICAL HINTS TO TEACHERS.
1. The tue miracles recorded in thi
lesson show how coming to Jesus may
prompted by parental grief and persons
suffering. Many persons will have reaso
to thank God In the other world for III
very things that have wrung their hearts i
this.
2. Christ mingled with publicans an
sinners: therefore, his followers may g
among sinners when their object is TO d
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